Apple has been tapping some leading talent in the health sector as it eyes a wearable device, such as a smart watch, with fitness or medical features, according to a number of media reports.

In recent months, the company has hired a number of medical-sensor specialists including Nancy Dougherty (pictured), who previously worked for Sano Intelligence and Proteus Digital Health, as well as Ravi Narasimhan, formerly of Vital Connect, according to 9to5Mac.

Interestingly, Dougherty’s work for Sano involved a small, sensor-laden patch which contains a wireless, battery-powered chip. Sano’s patch can measure blood sugar levels making it suitable for diabetes.

Google has done research in the same area but using a more complex approach which involves monitoring user’s tears via a contact lens.

These are not the only new hires for Apple. The company has taken on Michael O’Reilly, the former chief medical officer of Masimo Corporation, which specialises in pulse oximeters, according to Mobihealthnews. At the end of 2012 Masimo commercially launched an iPhone-enabled pulse oximeter.

On the fitness side, Apple last summer brought on board Jay Blahnik, who helped develop the Nike Fuelband, to work with Michael Tchao, a VP with marketing, who also has background with the same Nike device.